ScotRail are performing so badly Abellio could be axed (Image: SNS Group)

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If it falls as low as 84.3 per cent for three consecutive months, or for four out of 13 months, the Scottish Government can cancel the franchise.

The figures are the latest blow for the beleaguered rail operator following a week from hell on Scotland’s rail network.

ScotRail admitted 225 trains – one in 10 – were cancelled during major disruption following a breakdown on Thursday.

In an interview with the Sunday Mail last month, Yousaf vowed to terminate Abellio’s deal if the situation deteriorated further.

One in 10 services were cancelled following major disruption last week (Image: SNS Group)

A petition calling on ScotRail bosses to improve or be stripped of their contract last week reached 20,000 signatures.

Gordon Martin, the Scottish organiser for the Rail Maritime and Transport union, said yesterday: “What the latest performance figure means for the travelling public is inconvenience, missed appointments, people late for work, school and college.

“It’s a clear failing on the part of Abellio ScotRail and we would once again demand they are taken into public ownership as soon as possible.”

The latest statistics do not include the figures from last week when the network went into meltdown after a train broke down outside Edinburgh’s Waverley Station.

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“With winter round the corner, passengers deserve less spin and more substance from the SNP, with a guarantee they will see improvements to the punctuality and reliability of services in the coming months.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We have put in place measures to ensure we are fulfilling our Railways Act obligation of securing ongoing rail functions, as the operator of last resort, should a franchise terminate early for any reason and not be replaced.

“Separately, a manifesto commitment was made to facilitate a public sector bid for our railways.

“Ministers are committed to this and will be working with appropriate stakeholders to take this forward.”

Yousaf said: “This SNP Government secured the right for a public sector operator to bid for the franchise at the next opportunity after being repeatedly denied that by successive Labour and Tory Governments.

New figures show only 86% of trains were on time (Image: SWNS)

“We are already delivering on our very clear commitment to ensure there can be a public sector bid for future franchises.

“Work to deliver that public sector bid is already under way and I will work with anyone who is serious about improving rail services, rather than simply playing political games.

“Right now, our priority is making sure commuters get the standard of service they have the right to expect.

“That is why we are monitoring ScotRail’s performance on a daily basis and have ordered them to carry out an improvement plan. We must also support frontline staff who are working hard on a daily basis to support passengers and improve journeys.”